Packing List for Students

When I was OTR, I didnt carry any tools with me. I was an industrial mechanic for 20 years so I am capable of turning wrenches but I didnt want to be held responsible in case anything happened.

Right now I do have a few tools and will make minor repairs because my current company doesnt play the blame game.

Just something to think about.

 

I would highly recommend that you compare the RM and the Garmin. I had a Garmin and after several years it bit the dust. I replaced it with the RM because it had alot of handy features but it couldnt find several of my stops. Couldnt even find the company yard or even my inlaws house. I figured that although I like the features I would rather get to where I need to go so I returned it and got the Garmin. Hasnt let me down yet in the year that Ive had it. I just wish that the Garmin had features like the RM.

 

Certainly a good point, and I don't intend to be making any major repairs as such. My main concern would be stuck pins on the trailer or 5th wheel slides, freeing up a stuck locking handle, or stopping a air or water leak, or even a short until I can get somewhere safe and get a repair guy on it. Headlights/fuses/bulbs, of course.

 

It's a shame liability is something to worry about these days but better safe than sorry.

 

Bring it. But like anything else you may take on the road, know you could lose it. Someone could break in and steal it. So for a laptop...back everything up before you leave home so you can retrieve it if necessary. Don't leave personal info on it, like passwords, DOBs, maiden names, etc....identity theft is for real so don't give a thief a chance. Make sure you have a secure firewall, especially if you plan to use truckstop or hotel wi-fi...all the security stuff they tell you to do is even more so on the road. If you use your laptop for record keeping, back everything up to a flash drive every day. Keep that in your pocket.

 

That sounds like a lot, will you have space in a truck for all that, when training?

 

When I arrived at orientation and went straight to training and then straight to solo I arrived with a very large duffle (full of clothes and general light weight stuff), a medium duffle (full of food), and my computer bag. It was a bit of a chore taking a bus to orientation, but well worth it to be "road ready". I was one of the few that insisted on getting on board a truck right away after orientation, and went out within 24 hours. Again, when I finished training and tested out I insisted on getting assigned a truck right away (or have them pay for a hotel)... they assigned the truck.

After getting on the road solo I then spent a few bucks on two things that greatly improved life: a Magic Gell seat pad and a Koolatron Fun Kool cooler. Since I'll be potentially slip seating for the next couple of months these are handy enough to carry. The cooler wouldn't have fit in my trainer's truck. The seat pad was pricey ($60), but worth it.

 

I see someone recommend you buy Rand-McNally Motor Carrier Atlas. Which one is recommended, the one that cost $20 or the one that cost $80?

 

If you plan to stay in trucking for a while, then the more expensive spiral bound with the coated pages is the better investment.

 

I was looking at them on Amazon earlier today. I know I cannot afford the expensive one in a new edition however some editions that are the deluxe commercial model that are older 2010 or 2011 are significantly less expensive ($15-15) or so. Even tho it is a couple years old would it be usable or should I wait until I can afford the latest edition to buy. Also wondering the same about a copy of Next Exit. Thanks.